The Red Devils are currently without Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, while Jonny Evans is only just returning to full fitness.

That leaves Rio Ferdinand as United only other recognised centre-back, and now it seems Sir Alex Ferguson may be ready to call on the 35-year-old to help ease the pressure on a shaky United backline.

Silvestre is currently without a club after being released by Werder Bremen at the end of the season, and while free agents’ training with their former clubs is not unusual, speculation is rising that the Frenchman could be drafted as emergency cover.

Silvestre spent nine years at Old Trafford before moving to league rivals Arsenal in 2008. He played two seasons with the Gunners before being released and joining Bremen on a free transfer.

Back in the groove: Welbeck, Silvestre and Evra lead team-mates in training (Picture: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, his replacement at United, Patrice Evra, has voiced his concerns over the club’s inability to put a consistent performance in over 90 minutes following the 3-2 home defeat to Tottenham.

Evra said: ‘The game lasts for 90 minutes and we deserved to lose because we played for only 45 minutes. And when you concede three goals at Old Trafford it is not good enough to win a game.

‘I think the problem is about our head. It looked like we stayed in the hotel today. In the first 45 minutes there was no speed, no focus and we didn’t win many challenges.

‘And then we conceded some silly goals. Maybe I’m being hard on myself and the team, but today we put on the Man United face only in the second half. And that is not enough if you want to win the title.’

Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia will not travel with the rest of the squad for United’s Champions League game in Romania tomorrow.